Changing reservations from 8 to 6

Will they make us make a whole new reservation (possibly losing the particular time we have reserved)?

In a nutshell, we are going in April and at this point my sister doesn't know if she and her 3 year old will be able to go or not (she is a recent pharmacy school graduate still looking for a job). We plan to book in a few days so that we are ready to make our ADRs for the 4 of us and my parents who are for sure going. Not sure if we should count them in for our reservations or not. She wants to go as long as she can get time off from work (hopefully she will have a job by then).

So if we go ahead and make reservations for 8 and then she ends up not coming, can we just let them know there will only be 6 ahead of time, or will they want us to cancel our reservations and make new ones (thereby losing our choice time)?

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Just inform them at check-in that there will only be 6. As long as you show up for the ADR you will not be charged for the 2 that dont show. (taken right from Disney's website). My sister and her DH cancelled on us and we had 9 ADR's, we just told them at check-in because thats what someone told me here on the boards. No charges to my CC on any of them.

It's much easier for them to seat a table of 6 at a set up for 8 than the other way around. Book for 8, if they aren't able to join you, just let them know at the podium that it will only be 6 of you dining.

As mentioned, for CC-guaranteed locations, you shouldn't be charged so long as part of your party shows up (it's clearly written with 0 ambiguity (for once) on the dining FAQs on the official site).

The caveat will be for any prepaid locations (CRT and the 3 dinner shows, plus other special experiences like Wishes Dessert Party, etc). For these, you will want to let them know as early as possible to avoid any charges. (While I'm not sure if the CC-guarantee for DDP people follows the same rule as above, if you've already paid ahead of time for them, I'm not sure if you can get it adjusted after...at least without working through Guest Relations).

If you call 407-WDW-Dine, the castmember will be happy to change your reservation # from 8 to 6, and you won't loose your reservation. It will also be a courteous gesture to all those who those open two seats may help.